About Our President

Teresa Messina, who goes by “Terry”, is one of 6 children of Sicilian descent. Her grandparents were first generation immigrants from Assoro, Sicily. Teresa was born in Astoria, Queens NY and grew up on Long Island, where she graduated from Northport high school and pursued an active and current 50-year RN nursing career.

Before graduating nursing school in 1975.Terry, 21 married her grade school boyfriend, they have 6 adult children 3 sons and 3 daughters; 3 daughter-in-law’s, 2 son-in-law’s and 11 grandchildren. 

At a very young age, Terry desired to “know” God, with one simple daily prayer “God help me to be good”. At 26 years, she gave her life in surrender and control to Jesus Christ. Terry, recalls a pivotal moment, in which an elderly woman missionary, returning from Nigeria, Africa came to speak at a home gathering. She read from Isaiah 6:8, quoting Isaiah” Whom shall I send? Who will go for us? And Terry took this as a literal question, personal, she raised her hand and with a true heart said, along with the prophet Isaiah “Here I am, send me”.

In 1994, Terry and her husband sold their restaurant business and home on Long Island; moved family to upstate New York and began a full-time 20-year ministry. Established as Green Meadow Missions and based on Isaiah 58 to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, break every yoke of bondage and set the captives free.” Abiding Vine International is the current DBA of Green Meadow Mission.

They began serving their local community with food and clothing give outs, established a free medical clinic (The Nurture House), and found housing for the homeless. Teresa has not wavered from the great commission of Jesus Christ to his disciples: to go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in name of the Father son and Holy Ghost, teaching them to obey all things, whatsoever I have commanded you ‘ (Matthew 28: 19-20) Thus into the world, expanded into the Bronx, NYC and eventually to areas around the world, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Malawi, China, India, Mexico, and most recently to Haitian Refugees in the Dominican Republic. As God sends, she goes to minister the gospel of God’s love, and saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Terry presently works as a Birth Doula, a Faith Community Nurse, doing spirituality groups for inpatient mental health and addiction recovery programs and a RN at a free service pregnancy & women’s health clinic.  She has written a training book for third world countries on first aide and emergency response which is in English, Spanish and the Nigerian languages. Terry is active in her home community church, and participated on missions Grace Fellowship Latham NY. 

Terry has been on a number of Medical Missions with Hand of Hope Ministries and has lead medical missions in the Dominican Republic with Abiding Vine International.